Origin of Wanting

 

Origin of Wanting

Romans 7: ⁷ What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” ⁸ But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.

 

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For a while, the words “Don’t do that” meant something. I stayed away from “that.” But then I heard people who did “that.” They made “that” sound good. In fact, they teased me for not doing “that” The crowd seemed to be doing it, now I wanted to do it. The Bible said “Don’t do it.” No that was all I could think about.

 

• When I am told what not to do, it seems like that’s all I want to do.
• When I am told something is forbidden, it seems like I want to know why it is forbidden.
• When I am told stay away from something pleasurable, it seems like I can only think of that pleasurable thing.

 

Paul continues his explanation of the Law. He says the Law is not sinful, rather it exposes sin. The sin inside each person, then sees what the Law says and wants to do the opposite. BUT GOD had a remedy.

 

• GOD placed HIS law in my heart so I would know I needed a Savior.
• GOD allowed HIS SON, who volunteered, to be blamed and murdered for the sins I committed.
• GOD raised HIS SON from the dead, overcoming any sinful craving I might have.

 

At birth, sin coerces through my veins. I want the things GOD does not want me to have. The more I am told, not to want “that” the more I want it. BUT GOD took a different approach. HE knew I would not want HIM, rather I would want the sin. JESUS, being GOD, died for me.

 

“There… now sin no longer holds you.” Now that I am freed from the consequence of sin, I am grateful. This gratefulness gives me the strength to say “not this time” to the sin. My craving to do what GOD says increases with each “no” I speak to sin. I am glad JESUS mad a way out of my sin.

 

• Do you want something that you know is not good for you?
• Are you acting a way you know you should not act?
• Will you stop beating yourself up and be thankful JESUS has released you from all guilt and shame, so you can receive HIS peace today?

Neighborly Accountability

Ezekiel 33: ⁷ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. ⁸ When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. ⁹ But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.

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Silently I let a few people fall. In my mind they were slimy and would stop at nothing to get ahead. When I heard they were being watched I said to myself “Good, serves them right!” I did not warn them of their impending doom.

• There have been some people I have wanted to see fail.
• There have been some people I have wanted to see crash and burn.
• There have been some people I have wanted to get what is coming to them.

Watching someone fail actually felt pretty good. I mean they had their chance to do the right thing right? Wrong! While they may have been warned by others, they may have listened to me. GOD wants me to behave differently than a “mini-judge.”

• GOD wants me to have grace in my heart for all, even those who have stepped on my "last nerve.”
• GOD wants me to have grace in my heart for all, especially the one who I think “deserves” a good fall.
• GOD wants me to have grace in my heart for all, for the same measure of grace I show others will be shown to me.

It is real easy to point out the problems in others. It makes me forget that I need grace as well. Instead of “that” person needing to change, GOD wants me to change my heart towards them. HE wants me to have compassion rather than rage and tells me to “Pray without ceasing” for those who truly need to hear encouragement instead of argument. GOD holds me accountable for those HE put around me.

• Are you sitting back and watching a person fail?
• Do you think your actions are better than theirs?
• Can you ask GOD for words of encouragement they may need in order to turn their eyes back to HIM?
• Will you accept GOD’s calling to tell people about turning to the SON?

Understanding Jealousy

Psalm 73: ²¹ When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,
²² I was senseless and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast before you.

²³ Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.

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This weekend I was reminded of the many junk cars I drove. It seemed like I was on the side of the road more than moving forward. Once as my car showed the usual signs of failure I pulled over, got out and watched all of the people in fancy cars whiz by. This time I was a bit bitter as I looked at the face of a driver of an expensive car and watched him turn his head as he drove past. “Why do they seem to have no problems and all I have is problems?” I thought jealously.

• Jealousy enters my heart when I compare myself to others.
• Jealousy enters my heart when I am not satisfied or content.
• Jealousy enters my heart when I look at others, wanting what they have.

The real question I’m asking is “Why am I not the wealthy person driving past the poor sole on the side of the road?” I mean would I stop? Would I help if I were rich? No! How do I know… because I have been there too. Being rich brings on challenges that cause me to ignore the poor and protect my wealth at all costs. BUT GOD has shown me something different.

• GOD says to me “Do not love money because it will generate all kinds of evil you do not even know.”
• GOD says to me “Hearts are deceptive and wicked, only I can know it.”
• GOD says to me “Seek MY kingdom first”
• GOD says to me “I will guide you with MY counsel.”

Instead of seeking what someone else has, I should quiet down and ask, “What do you want me to do right now?” GOD has me here for a wonderful reason, one that I cannot ignore. HE opens my eyes to HIM when jealousy tries to blind me. HE shows me that being connected to HIM and going through a difficult situation is far better than being without HIM and thinking my wealth will save me.

GOD does not like when I am arrogantly wealthy nor does HE like a pouting jealous poor rant from me. HE does however appreciate when I acknowledge HIS supremacy, HIS love and HIS mercy for me.

• Are you jealous of something or someone?
• Do you envy certain groups of people and wish for their demise?
• Can you stop wasting your time looking at others and look to GOD who has called you into this situation?
• Will you truly praise GOD for where HE has you and get started on the mission HE has for you?

Wish Prosperity on Your Enemies

Esther 6: ⁶ When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”

Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” ⁷ So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor,⁸ have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. ⁹ Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”

¹⁰ “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

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They brought me in a small room and asked me if the other guy would be a good fit for the top position of the company I interviewed for. This was strange to me. “Why ask me?” I thought to myself. If I answer “He’s horrible, pick me” it could show I’m not a team player, on the other hand if I say “He’s great” then I may be giving the position up. What should I do?

• Many times I have had to face my ego.
• Many times I have had to face the choice of slandering versus speaking highly of a person.
• Many times I have had to face getting passed over.

Wishing the demise of someone feels so good at the time, especially if that person has been very irritating to me. When I see them go down in flames I feel great because maybe I can get their spot. BUT GOD desires something different of me.

• GOD wants me to delight when HE places people above me so I can serve as JESUS served me.
• GOD wants me to enjoy when HE blesses people I don’t like, because it shows HE is truly unbiased in HIS view and has even forgiven me.
• GOD wants me to sing praises when HE does great things in other folk’s lives because it shows HIS power and majesty over everything.

Pouting when someone else “wins” is a sure sign of immaturity on my part. In fact, just the thought of someone “winning” is immature. If I am part of GOD’s kingdom then I should delight in what HE is doing all around me. HE loves when I change my pouting into praise. The more I can truly praise HIM for blessing others the more HE blesses me either in this life or the next.

• Are you pouting over someone’s prosperity?
• Are you on the side of slander or speaking well about “that” person?
• Can you realize that maybe your attitude towards other people may be why GOD holds blessings back from you?
• When will you mature and wish others the best like GOD wants the best for you?

Should I celebrate when my enemies fall?

2 Samuel 1: ²³ Saul and Jonathan—
    in life they were loved and admired,
    and in death they were not parted.
They were swifter than eagles,
    they were stronger than lions.

²⁴ “Daughters of Israel,
    weep for Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet and finery,
    who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.

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It was a very snide conversation that I remember vividly. A woman tried to take over our system by selling hers to individual franchisees. She had convinced a group that they would lose money if they went with the corporate system instead of hers. I rallied the senior executives and we put a plan together to squelch the fire of miscommunication.

The plan worked and we were able to deploy the corporate system without flaw. I rejoiced because she was pretty smug in her approach. A thought popped in my head to call her and ask her how she felt now that she lost!

• In the past I felt great when others fell.
• In the past I rejoiced when the rich and powerful got what was coming to them.
• In the past I made enemies and rejoiced taking them down.

Saul wanted to kill David with all of his heart. The LORD departed Saul and he had a rage of jealousy that left him focused on a futile vendetta. When the word came to David that Saul and Jonathan died, he wept bitterly. He wept for his enemy.

• GOD truly wants me to desire that everyone gets to know HIS SON.
• GOD wants me to desire the best for everyone in my prayers, actions and discussions.
• GOD wants me to desire grace, mercy and love for everyone including those who intentionally have harmed me in the past.

Quite honestly, it is difficult to climb up to the place where I can really desire something better for my enemies. BUT GOD says HE will reward me when I pray for them to succeed in getting to know HIS SON. Each time I do this, I actually have won the battle and the war.

• Do you have someone who is acting like your enemy right now?
• Do you sneer and scoff at a leader or someone in power?
• Can you stop feeling sorry for yourself and ask GOD to forgive you and that person?
• Won’t you pray about “that” person hoping they will know CHRIST who is responsible for all forgiveness?